Send it, request it, track it
— by asking.
The Ask MCP server connects Paying.co directly to AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT, so you can send or receive payments right from the conversation. Generate payment links, render scannable QR codes, and check status — all in natural language, no dashboard required.
What is MCP?
The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that lets AI assistants talk directly to the tools you already use. Instead of copying values between a chat and a dashboard, your assistant calls Paying.co on your behalf.
Connect once
Add the Ask server to Claude as a connector. Authentication is handled by your Paying.co API token — no keys pasted into chat.
Ask in plain language
"Send a $48 payment link to jan@example.com." Your assistant maps the request to the right tool and fills the parameters.
Get a real result
A hosted-payment URL, an inline QR code, or a live status check comes straight back into the conversation.
Supported tools
The Ask server exposes four methods — three actions and one read. Every payment request created in a session is tracked by a merchant reference so you can check its status later.
Generates a hosted-payment URL on Paying.co for a given amount and customer, ready to drop into an email or chat. Returns the URL — Paying.co has no email-send endpoint, so your assistant delivers the message itself.
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| amountRequired | number | The payment amount. Must be greater than zero. |
| customer_nameOptional | string | Name attached to the payment request. |
| emailOptional | string | Customer email address. Validated as a proper email. |
| descriptionOptional | string | A note describing what the payment is for. |
Generates a hosted-payment URL and renders an inline PNG QR code that resolves to it. Built for moments where someone scans instead of clicks — counter checkout, a slide, or a printed invoice.
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| amountRequired | number | The payment amount. Must be greater than zero. |
| customer_nameOptional | string | Name attached to the payment request. |
| emailOptional | string | Customer email address. Validated as a proper email. |
| descriptionOptional | string | A note describing what the payment is for. |
Looks up the status of a payment request. Pass a merchant reference directly, or pass an email to resolve the most recent request created for that customer in the current session. Returns PAID with the full payment object, or UNPAID if nothing is recorded yet.
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| merchant_referenceOptional | string | Direct reference returned by a send tool. Format: mcp-<uuid>. |
| emailOptional | string | Resolves to the most recent reference for this email in the current session. |
Requires the Order — Read ability
The API token backing the connector must have read access to orders for status lookups to succeed.
Returns the Paying.co merchant profile attached to the current API token. Useful to verify the connector is authenticated against the right account before sending any payments. Takes no parameters.
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| No parameters. | ||
A conversation, end to end
You — Send a $120 payment link to maria@bakery.com for the catering deposit. Claude — send_payment_link( amount: 120, email: "maria@bakery.com", description: "Catering deposit" ) → https://pay.paying.co/r/mcp-9f2c… // ref: mcp-9f2c-44a1 You — Has Maria paid yet? Claude — check_payment_status(email: "maria@bakery.com") → PAID // $120.00 · settled 4m ago
Setup in three steps
Add the connector
In Claude or ChatGPT, open your connector settings and add a custom connector pointing at
https://mcp.ask.paying.co/mcp.
Authenticate with your token
Connect using your Paying.co API token. For status lookups, make sure the token carries
the Order — Read ability.
Verify and go
Ask your assistant to run whoami to confirm you're on the right merchant
account — then start sending payment links and QR codes.
Works with Claude and ChatGPT
The Ask MCP server connects to both Claude and ChatGPT through the Model Context Protocol — add it as a connector in whichever assistant you use.
Payments at the speed of conversation
Stop switching between your chat and a dashboard. Connect Ask and let your AI assistant handle the request.